Oral Surgery
What is an impacted Wisdom tooth?
When there is not enough space for a wisdom tooth to grow and wisdom tooth remains buried in gums or bone due to decreased jaw size, then it is known as impacted wisdom teeth.
Is extraction of wisdom tooth necessary?
If a person is not experiencing any kind of pain and discomfort, then there is no need for wisdom tooth extraction. In case if one experience pain in gums and jaws, difficulty in mouth opening, swollen or inflamed gums, headache, bad taste in the mouth, bad breath, crowding and decay of other teeth, then you should consult your dentist regarding the further course of treatment.
What is the age of wisdom tooth eruption?
Wisdom teeth usually erupt in the oral cavity between the ages of 16-25 years, with 17-21 being the most common. In some people, wisdom teeth may erupt at 30-40 years of age.
What is the treatment of wisdom tooth?
Surgical tooth extraction is done for impacted wisdom tooth. The cut is given on gums, and if necessary, bone cutting and or tooth sectioning is done to remove the tooth from the socket. After surgical tooth extraction, stitches are given after tooth extraction to approximate flap margins.The procedure is done under local anaesthesia on the dental chair.
Whom should one visit regarding wisdom tooth extraction?
Removal of wisdom tooth mostly includes surgical tooth extraction. Surgical tooth extraction is different from normal tooth extraction and is performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon as opposed to a general dentist.
Is wisdom tooth extraction painful?
No pain occurs during wisdom tooth extraction, as before tooth extraction, the area is made numb by injecting a local anaesthetic. The patient will feel a little pressure while extraction.
What are the precautions to be followed after wisdom tooth extraction?
After wisdom tooth extraction, take a rest for a day. Don’t spit much after wisdom tooth extraction as it can lead to dislodgement of a blood clot. Don’t drink anything with a straw for atleast 48 hours of tooth extraction, and don’t smoke. Take the medicaments as prescribed by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, and don’t chew from the side of the tooth extraction socket. After tooth extraction, you are advised to take soft foods. You should not brush after 8 hours of tooth extraction, and after that, you can brush your teeth gently, avoiding the area of surgery. There will be an extraoral swelling for 4-6 days; you are advised to apply an Intermittent ice pack to reduce swelling after wisdom tooth extraction. Ice application can be done during the first 24 hours after wisdom tooth extraction. After 1-2 days, heat in the form of moist compresses can be applied.
Will bleeding occur after wisdom tooth extraction?
Bleeding can occur up to 3 days after wisdom tooth removal. Till the time bleeding occurs, one should avoid vigorous rinsing of the mouth. To control the bleeding patient can bite on a gauze pack and have ice cream later as cold will act as a vasoconstrictor, thereby reducing the bleeding.
What are the complications of wisdom tooth extraction?
Prolonged pain, swelling, bleeding and bruising can occur after wisdom tooth extraction; in such case, the patient is advised to report back to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Limited mouth opening; in such a case-patient is advised to perform some mouth exercises as shown by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The patient may also get a burning or numb sensation after wisdom tooth extraction due to nerve injury during tooth extraction; numbness caused by nerve injury is reversible in most cases but might take from few weeks to few months.
Does the insurance cover wisdom tooth extraction?
As wisdom tooth extraction is a minor surgical procedure, most of the insurance companies like Bajaj Allianz, arogya etc., cover it.
What is the treatment option if the patient is very anxious and uncooperative?
You have two options to have wisdom teeth removed. The first is under local anaesthesia in the dental chair, and the second is under dental sedation or general anaesthesia. For a highly uncooperative and anxious patient, wisdom tooth extraction can be done under sedation/ general anaesthesia by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
